Why Seeing a Chiropractor Before Knee Replacement Surgery Is A Good Idea

Title: The Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor Before Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee surgery, particularly knee joint replacements, is exceedingly common in Edmonton, Alberta, and across the province. As we age, our knees can become arthritic, leading to extreme pain and often requiring replacement.

Many people believe that their only option is to wait for surgery... However, the wait time in Edmonton can be extensive, ranging from 18 to 36 months, and often, they will not even consider putting you on the list until you're 65 or older.

This means dealing with a severely arthritic knee for years before even being considered for a replacement. Once you are on the list, it's another long wait, with actual replacement potentially happening 18 to 36 months later.

During this time, it’s vital to find ways to optimize your condition pre-surgery for the best possible outcome post-surgery. One recommendation is to see a chiropractor before undergoing knee replacement surgery.

Here's why:

Optimize Joint Mobility and Flexibility

Chiropractors can help optimize your knee's joint mobility and flexibility. If your knee is very arthritic, chances are it doesn't move well. Restoring some normalized joint mobility could greatly enhance your recovery outcomes once the surgery is completed.

Soft Tissue Optimization

When your knee isn't moving much over the years, the soft tissues around it can become contracted and lose elasticity. This stiffness often results in significant pain postoperatively as the body struggles to restore elasticity. Optimizing these tissues beforehand can lead to much better outcomes post-surgery.

Reduce Pain and Inflammation

A significant portion of the pain in an arthritic knee is due to inflammation. Managing this pain more effectively pre-surgery will help maintain knee mobility, flexibility, and strength, which are essential for a better recovery.

Address Compensatory Body Movements

A problematic knee could cause you to walk differently, leading to inefficient body mechanics and resulting pain in other areas such as your hips, back, shoulders, or neck. Chiropractors can help address these issues by aligning your body properly, thus improving biomechanics and reducing stress on the knee.

Improve Circulation and Blood Flow

Enhanced circulation and blood flow are beneficial for healing and can be improved through chiropractic care, not just in the knee but also in surrounding areas like the foot, ankle, and hip.

Non-Invasive Pain Management

Chiropractors offer non-invasive pain management techniques that can lessen pain intensity or sometimes relieve it entirely, allowing for more effective prehab and exercise regimens. There are many chiropractors in Alberta experienced in helping patients with joint problems who are waiting for surgery.

While it's not always possible, some patients have found themselves off the surgery wait list entirely after chiropractic treatment. Regardless, having a chiropractor on your healthcare team can optimize your pain management and overall outcomes before, during, and after surgery.

We hope you find these insights helpful and encourage you to consider chiropractic care as part of your pre-surgery routine. Looking forward to seeing you soon!